Staff Contact and Bios

 

Cynthia Brown
Program Specialist
Office: (919) 489-9790
cbrown@conservationfund.org

 

Cynthia provides direct technical assistance to community partners on a range of organizational development issues, including board development, grant writing, and strategic planning. She utilizes her 25 years of experience to increase capacity to build effective organizations, establish working alliances and advocate for public policies that address community needs.

Margaret Conrad, Consultant

Margaret Conrad
Consultant
Office: (919) 818-8138
maconrad@mac.com

 

Margaret works with community partners on a variety of topics, including board development, fundraising and business planning. She also provides guidance to program staff on fundraising and policy initiatives. She combines extensive experience in the political arena with local community service to many organizations. Margaret is the principal of Polities Consulting.

Kathleen Marks, Associate Director

Kathleen Marks
Associate Director
Office: (919) 951-0111
kmarks@conservationfund.org

 

Kathleen brings 20 years of communication/ administration experience to the program. She administers Resourceful Communities’ small grants program, develops and coordinates workshops, provides project management, and connects partners and staff with information, resources and each other.

Monica McCann, Associate Director

Monica McCann
Associate Director
Office: (919) 951-0110
mmccann@conservationfund.org

 

Monica utilizes her environmental planning background to help communities create entrepreneurial opportunities through sustainable land use practices, including community-based forestry and ecotourism. She develops and delivers workshops and provides project oversight.

Donna Pratt, Program Assistant

Donna Pratt
Program Assistant
Office: (919) 951-0116
dpratt@conservationfund.org

 

With more than 10 years of event planning experience, Donna coordinates a variety of trainings for community partners. She uses administrative and management skills to strengthen program structure and to evaluate delivery of services. Donna provides budget oversight and analysis for workshops.

Susan Sachs, Consultant

Susan Sachs
Consultant
Office: (919) 493-4438
susan@starfireconsulting.org

 

Susan works as a trainer, facilitator and technical assistance provider in the areas of strategic planning, program development and fundraising. With 20 years of experience in nonprofit management and organizational development, she supports grassroots partners in building capacity and planning for long-term sustainability. She is principal of Durham-based Starfire Consulting.

Mikki Sager, Vice President

Mikki Sager
Vice President and Program Director
Office: (919) 967-2978 
msager@conservationfund.org

 

Mikki brings more than 25 years of experience to the program. She provides training in program development, fundraising, grant writing and project management as well as coaching on developing partnerships with funders and service providers. Mikki also represents communities nationwide at presentations and conferences.